2008’s most relevant Canadian Fantasy Baseball Players
There was a time - in fact, not all that long ago, when Larry Walker, and Matt Stairs were the only two swinging sticks who represented the land of Lord Stanley , Maple Syrup, Rush, and Curling.
My - How things have changed!
No longer are pitchers hailing from the Great White North reduced to Rheal Cormier and a bunch of potentials. Canadians have become not only prevalent throughout major league baseball; there are a few who have risen to become stats leaders in recent years.
So, for all you who prefer Poutine to French Fries, or Bryan Adams to Bruce Springsteen we’ve listed what we feel are the most notable 2008 Fantasy Players who hail from Canada .
NOTE: We’ve excluded Waiver Sharks favourite Royal - Mark Teahen .(We made sure we added the ‘u’ in favourite, because that’s the way most Canucks prefer to spell words like ‘colour’, according to the Mountie, the beaver, and the Killer Polar Bears we interviewed!) Teahen - has dual citizenship, but he was born in California .
No half breeds allowed eh!
We also are still a few years away from seeing Quebec ’s Phillipe Aumont.
The big 6’7” 225lb (Hmmm…should we have listed his height/weight in meters and kilograms?) right-hander was drafted #11 in the 2007 Minor League entry draft by the Seattle Mariners.
The Mariners expect big things from Quebec ’s 6’7” Phillipe Aumont in a few years.
The rest of the players listed should display varying degrees of Fantasy value during the upcoming Fantasy season.
So go grab a beer, fry up some back bacon, and enjoy some ketchup chips while perusing major league baseball’s most talented hosers!
Starting Pitchers
Erik Bedard (SEA) – Navan , Ontario
Bedard, along with “King Felix” Hernandez were suppose to provide the Mariners with an amazing 1-2 punch at the top of Seattle ’s starting rotation. Bedard’s career has been solid thus far, however he’s never put together a sensational year due to being somewhat riddled with injuries. It appears 2008 may be some more of the same.
Adam Loewan (BAL) – Surrey , British Columbia
The big lefty underwent surgery last season and has had some lingering difficulties thus far in 2008.
Rich Harden (OAK) – Victoria , British Columbia
“If Rich Harden could ever stay healthy” This phrase has been echoed for the past few seasons in Fantasy leagues everywhere. Unfortunately, it once again appears he can not. After dazzling fans in the opener to kick off Major league baseball in Japan , ol’ Dick returned to his old ways – and once again landed on the DL – this time even before the Easter Bunny arrived.
Shawn Hill (WAS) – Georgetown , Ontario
Wow, yet another Canuck starting pitcher on the mend. Shawn has the potential to be the Nationals ace if he could ever put together a full, healthy season.
Jeff Francis ( COL ) – Vancouver , British Columbia
Jeff is a big lefty who has had some early success in a his career - even though half his games are started in the hitter friendly confines of Coors Field.
Ryan Dempster (CHC) – Sechelt , British Columbia
Dempster is getting a chance to start for the Chicago Cubs in 2008. He spent the last few seasons pitching out of the Cubbies pen – including a period where he was the teams closer.
Ryan Z. Braun – Kitchener , Ontario
Not to be mixed up with Ryan “The Hebrew Hammer” Braun who plays in the out field for the Brew Crew. Ryan Zachery Braun is a pitcher who is currently in the Kansas City Royals Minor league system. Braun is the least likely candidate listed here to contribute to Fantasy teams in 2008.
Relief Pitchers
Eric Gagne – (MIL) Montreal , Quebec
Eric Gagne holds major league baseballs current record for most successfully converted save opportunities in a row with 84. He managed this remarkable feat while pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The spectacled fire-baller is now closing out games for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Jesse Crain – (MIN) Toronto , Ontario
Crain is currently part of the Minnesota Twins pen. He works mostly middle to late innings in relief.
Batters
Jason Bay – (PIT) Trail, British Columbia
The Pittsburgh Pirates trusty left fielder is coming off of the worst season of his short career, but is a strong candidate for a comeback year. He should provide solid Fantasy value since his dismal - by his standards - season will allow him to slip several rounds lower than his actual value. He is still considered to be in his prime, and should bat in the heart of the Bucco’s line-up through out 2008.
Justin Morneau – (MIN) New Westminster , British Columbia
The Twin cities towering 1st baseman took a slight step back in 2007 from his fantastic breakout campaign in 2006. He seems to have finally rid himself of early career injury bugs, and should continue to rake as a top corner infielder who would benefit somewhat if the talent surrounding him were on par with his level.
Russell Martin – (LAD) East York , Ontario
R-mart is one of the very best catchers in baseball today. He enjoyed a break out season in 2007 and even managed to steal an unheard of for a catcher – 21 bases last year! We haven’t been this excited about a Canadian running since C.J. (Pamela Anderson) guarded the Baywatch beaches in Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding back in 2003 - what a cinematic high point of that year.
Matt Stairs – (TOR) Saint John , New Brunswick
“Stairsy” is still kickin’ around in the Blue Jays organization - mostly designated hitting - and playing the occasional 1st base.
Scott Thorman – (ATL) Cambridge , Ontario
Thorman is a power hitting lefty who currently is playing with the Atlanta braves Triple-A Richmond club. He played 1st base with rather disheartening results in 2007 for the Braves. With the acquisition of Mark Teixeira he is not likely to see much playing time in 2008.
